Gordon Ode, 88
Gordon Lyle Ode, 88
Gordon Lyle Ode, 88, of Brandon, died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Avera Hospital surrounded by his family.
Gordon Lyle Ode was born in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Aug. 25, 1930 to J. Henry Ode and Ida Ode. He and his sister Dorothy grew up on the family farm in the hills of the Big Sioux River west of Brandon. Not long after graduating from Brandon High School, Gordon married Mila Heggen (1952) and they built a home on the farm and joined his parents in farming the land and caring for the livestock. Gordon and Mila raised five children—David, Mark, Bruce, JoAnn, and Dianne. Gordon was an excellent farmer and steward of the land being named as County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1962.
Gordon gave of himself and shared his gifts with his family, his church, and his community. Active in 4-H as a youth and adult, Gordon served as sheep superintendent at the Sioux Empire County Fair for decades. Gordon also served on the Minnehaha County Co-op Board of Directors from 1966 to 1996 and on the Farmland Industry National Board of Directors.
Serving as the Scout Master of Troop 117 for over 20 years, Gordon introduced hundreds of Brandon boys to scouting and was a role model for all the Scout Laws.
As a lifetime member of Brandon Lutheran Church, Gordon served many years on church council, as council president, and on other church committees. Gordon always whistled and sang as he worked and for over 70 years, he sang with the Brandon Lutheran Church Choir in the company and harmony of many cousins and friends.
Always a sports enthusiast, Gordon enjoyed participating in basketball, track, baseball, and fastpitch softball. He later became one of the founding members of the Brandon Valley Booster Club, serving as its first president from 1974-1982 and was later inducted into the BV Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. He also served as a substitute teacher, coach, referee, and on the BV Football Chain Gang for many years.
His most treasured memories involved watching his children and grandchildren participate in their activities and cheering on the BV Lynx. He was so proud of his heritage and cherished time with his family.
Grateful for sharing his life are his wife of 67 years, Mila, sister Dorothy Mayeske (Roy) St. Paul; children David (Jeanne) Ode, of Pierre, Mark Ode, Bruce (Stephanie) Ode, JoAnn (Kraig) Presler, and Dianne (Ken) Mork, all of Brandon, and our “Little Buddy” Jason Carpenter, Sioux Falls; grandchildren, Peder and Dagne Ode, Kyle, Kelly (Matt Klingenberg) and Kent Ode, Kasey (Tony Tripp), Adam, Sarah and Ryan Presler, and Kaylee, Carson and Kaija Mork; great-grandchildren, Mason and James Klingenberg; and many Ode cousins and Heggen in-laws.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph “Henry” Ode and Ida Ode; and grandson, Lewis Ode.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 26 at Brandon Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 25 at Brandon Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Brandon Lutheran Church.
For online condolences or to learn more, visit www.heritagefsd.com.
